Former Liberal lead John Hewson finally finds a buyer for his Highlands estate

It took a decade, but former Liberal leader John Hewson’s country estate in Exeter has finally found a buyer.

First listed in 2009, the English-inspired 9.7ha estate in the Southern Highlands had an original asking price of $11 million, but after several discounts over the years, Invergowrie sold this week for an undisclosed amount.

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Throughout its most recent campaign with co-agencies Richardson & Wrench Bowral and Drew Lindsay Real Estate. the price guide for the Tudor-style home was $6.2 million.

It looks like something out of a postcard.

Former Liberal Leader John Hewson and Kerryn Phelps at the National Press Club in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

Dr Hewson, who led the Liberals to defeat at the 1993 Federal election, bought the historic home back in 2014 from stockbroker Ross Polkinghorne for $5.5 million and later married his third wife Jessica in the property’s grand ballroom in 2007.

An aerial view of the sprawling estate.

It was the second Southern Highlands home for Dr Hewson who had previously lived in the well-heeled region in another heritage home named Glencraig that he bought in 1998 with his second wife Carolyn for $1.98 million.

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The living area has an open fireplace.

Since leaving politics in 1994, the former member for Wentworth, ex-economist for the Reserve Bank of Australia and father of six, has been involved in a range of non-profit organisations, including the Arthritis Foundation of Australia and KidsXpress, a charity providing expressive therapy for children.

Built in 1936 for iron and steel merchant Sir Cecil Hoskins in 1929, Invergowrie has had several facelifts over the years including an extension in 1967 and a full renovation around 2000.

An estate on three titles, the property also includes a championship tennis court, Bocce pit, swimming pool, croquet lawn, orchard, vegetable gardens, a Japanese garden with waterfall, animal enclosures and an aviary.

The billiards room.

The six-bedroom, five-bathroom homestead itself has a grand timber circular staircase, high ornate ceilings throughout, lead light windows, several fireplaces, formal and informal dining and sitting rooms, a sunroom, library, a vast country kitchen, a billiards room, gym and a ball room.